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Credit:: Cathedral High School

Raymond L. Telles, the first Hispanic Mayor of a major American city , the first Hispanic U.S. Ambassador, a decorated U.S. Air Force Colonel and presidential advisor passed away on March 8, 2013 at his daughter's home in Sherman Oaks, California. Telles was born September 5, 1915 in El Paso, Texas and was educated at Cathedral High School and Texas College of Mines (UTEP).

After a hard-fought campaign, he was elected Mayor of El Paso in 1957 heralding a major breakthrough in the Mexican American pursuit for political representation. Telles opened the door of opportunity for Hispanics across the city, particularly in the Police and Fire Departments. He implemented policy to ensure equal access for African Americans to City employment, as well as theaters and public facilities. His collaborative, inclusive and unifying leadership won him an uncontested second term.

In 1961, Telles was appointed by President John F. Kennedy as U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica, making history once again as the first person of Hispanic heritage to serve as a United States Ambassador. He served in this post until 1967 when President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed Telles as Ambassador and Chairman of the U.S.-Mexico Border Commission. Later, President Richard Nixon appointed him to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (E.E.O.C), and President Gerald Ford re-appointed him to this commission. Ambassador Telles was an advisor and friend to both Democratic and Republican presidents, including Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Ford. Raymond L. Telles was married for 68 years to the love of his life, Delfina Navarro Telles. He is survived by his two daughters, Dr. Cynthia Telles of Sherman Oaks, California and Dr. Patricia Telles-Irvin of Evanston, Illinois, and grandchildren Raymond D. Jimenez and Daniel Irvin-Telles.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/elpasotimes/obituary.aspx?pid=163530814

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Leo Cancellare, AFSC joined the faculty of Cathedral High in El Paso Texas in 1987. The brothers found him; an excellent partner in fulfilling their mission and a role model of for faculty and students. As a popular physical education teacher and swim coach, he tired to instill in the student body his own deep love for God, family, and country. After three years, in 1990, the brothers appointed him dean of students, in charge of school discipline

When they were looking for someone to be the first lay principal of Cathedral in 1995, no less a person than the Most Rev. Oscar X. Ochoa, bishop of El Paso, suggested Cancellare. He accepted the position with the remark that he was simply taking it until a Christian Brother could be found.

Leo developed such a deep affection for the brothers and dedication to their mission that he insisted on having the school identified as a Lasallian school, despite opposition from several officials of the diocese. The brothers awarded him a certificate of affiliation in 1999. That year he was diagnosed with a rare cancer of the thymus. As in every battle, he faced it head on and exemplified for the entire community his deep faith in God. He died April 2, 1999. A city swimming pool carries his name. He was honored by the University of Texas at El Paso as an outstanding graduate.

Leo Cancellare was identified as a giant in an exhibit by the El Paso Museum of History in the fall of 2017 entitled First Steps.

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Credit:: Rudy Gutierrez/ El Paso Times

Manuel de la Rosa, founding dean of the Texas Tech University Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, shows a gross anatomy lab at the school Tuesday. De la Rosa recalls an unexpected encounterwith a former teacher during his time in medical school. (Rudy Gutierrez / El Paso Times)